Newsmakers

CEO

Jeff Wagnitz, who has been serving as acting president of Highline College in Washington state since December 2016, has been named interim president. He said he is not running for the permanent presidency and plans to return to serve as vice president once a president is selected and in place. Wagnitz has been an administrator at Highline since 2000. Since 2008, he has held the position of vice president for academic affairs, serving before that as dean of instruction.

Kudos

Lee Lambert, chancellor of Pima Community College in Arizona, has been named Chief Executive Officer of the Year by the Association of Community College Trustees.

“This recognition was well-deserved, not only because of the chancellor’s vision and ability, but also because it reflects the dedication and hard work of each faculty and staff member as we shape Pima Community College for the next 50 years of service to our region,” said Mark Hanna, chair of PCC’s governing board.

Retirements

Heartland Community College President Rob Widmer has announced his retirement effective June 30, 2018. Widmer has served as president since 2013, the third in the college’s 26-year history. During his tenure, Widmer led Heartland through financial challenges resulting from the Illinois budget impasse, presided over a new strategic planning process, and enhanced the college’s reputation as a strong and essential community resource. Widmer is particularly proud of the instrumental role he played throughout his years with the college in developing Heartland’s current campus in Normal.

“Few people have had as much impact on Heartland Community College and higher education in our district than Rob Widmer,” says board of trustee president Gregg Chadwick. “He has relentlessly and tirelessly worked to secure Heartland’s rightful place as a pillar of this community and we wish him the best as he retires from the presidency at Heartland.”

Appointments

Constance Carroll, chancellor of the San Diego Community College District, will serve as chair of the San Diego Foundation’s board of governors, on which she has served for seven years. The foundation mobilizes philanthropic resources to advance quality of life, increase social impact and champion civic engagement.

Thomas Ekman has been named dean of math and science at Volunteer State Community College in Tennessee. He has taught chemistry at the college for the last four years and served as chair of the science department.

Josh Pohribnak is director of military education program at the San Diego Community College District in California. He previously served for a professional services and information technology defense contractor.

Amanda Sbriscia will serve as vice president of institutional advancement at Holyoke Community College in Massachusetts, effective October 30. She most recently served as as senior director of advancement at Bay Path University, following her role there as director of annual giving and alumni relations.

Arlyn Walz has been named public safety commander at Scottsdale Community College in Arizona. He joined the college in 2013 as a public safety officer and served as acting commander in 2015-16.